RF Tissue Treatment System with Dual Directional Coupler
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tissue treatment systems for obstructive airway diseases, such as COPD and asthma, face challenges in preventing overtreatment and are costly due to the use of thermocouples for monitoring, which are not always necessary and add to the manufacturing costs, especially in disposable devices.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses an RF generator to deliver energy to tissue through an energy emitting portion, with a dual directional coupler to detect changes in reflected power, allowing for real-time monitoring of tissue treatment and termination of energy supply when a threshold is reached, eliminating the need for thermocouples and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If thermocouples are used to monitor tissue temperature, then treatment control precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/thermal sensing system (thermocouples) with an electromagnetic field-based monitoring system. The RF generator monitors tissue treatment by detecting changes in reflected power and impedance characteristics, eliminating the need for physical temperature sensors in contact with tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary monitoring approach where the RF energy itself serves as the monitoring medium. By analyzing the reflected portion of the RF energy and changes in impedance, the system indirectly monitors tissue treatment status without requiring direct thermal contact.
2Reliability
If thermocouples are used for continuous temperature monitoring, then treatment safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The RF generator performs multiple functions: it delivers therapeutic energy to treat tissue obstruction and simultaneously monitors treatment progress through reflected power analysis. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate monitoring devices, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own output energy (RF signal) to monitor the treatment process. The RF generator analyzes the reflected portion of its own signal to detect tissue changes, making the monitoring function self-contained without requiring external sensors or complex monitoring infrastructure.
3Productivity
If energy delivery continues until temperature threshold is reached, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but risk of overtreatment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements real-time feedback control by continuously analyzing reflected power and impedance changes during energy delivery. When the feedback signals indicate that the tissue has been sufficiently treated (changes in impedance pattern), the system automatically terminates energy delivery, preventing overtreatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic monitoring and adaptive control of energy delivery. The system adjusts the treatment duration and energy levels in real-time based on changing tissue characteristics detected through reflected power analysis, allowing precise control to prevent damage to adjacent healthy tissue.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively monitors and controls tissue treatment, preventing overtreatment while reducing costs by utilizing existing components for energy delivery, thus providing a more efficient and cost-effective method for treating obstructive airway diseases.
Implementation Method 1
supplying an amount of energy from an energy source to the energy emitting portion to treat tissue at the treatment site
Implementation Method 2
A first portion of the amount of energy may be transmitted through the energy emitting portion to the tissue and a second portion of the amount of energy may be reflected back towards the proximal end of the elongate member
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for treating tissue of a passageway within a body, the system comprising an energy source; a medical device for delivering energy to a treatment site; the medical device being configured to receive an amount of energy from the energy source, a first portion of the amount of energy being transmitted through the distal end to tissue at the treatment site and a second portion of the amount of energy being reflected back towards the proximal end of the elongate member; a dual directional coupler coupled to the medical device, the dual directional coupler being configured to detect a signal corresponding to one or both of the first portion of the amount of energy and the second portion of the amount of energy; and a controller configured to analyze the signal to determine the state of treatment.